After growing up in rural Montana, training in Seattle and Idaho and working internationally in New Zealand and Southern Africa, I realized how important a Family Physician can be to a community and have wanted to work in primary care for many different reasons. First, being a Family Physician allows me to focus on Preventive Medicine. A healthy lifestyle is the most important part of prevention and treatment of illness. I enjoy working with patients on lifestyle and treatment goals that are evidence based but also individualized to the patient’s needs. Second, health care costs continue to climb without significant improvements in health outcomes or access for patients to care. Family Physicians are at the forefront of this issue. Not only can I make smarter decisions for my patients, but I can also set examples for the residents I teach and for those who write healthcare policy for the state of Idaho. Lastly, it is hard to reach treatment goals after only seeing a patient once. The relationship I get to develop with my patients is the most valuable. I am very happy that I chose to become a Family Physician and feel very honored to be able to build lasting connections with patients as I take care of them and their families over many years.

I was born and gained my work ethic on a wheat farm in Northern Montana that my family still operates today. My partner Charles and our Australian Shepherd are happy to settle in Coeur d’Alene. I enjoy hiking, mountain biking, cross-country/alpine skiing, baking, reading, gardening, quilting and exploring all that Northern Idaho has to offer.

My professional interests include: Full Spectrum Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Reproductive Health from menstruation to menopause including Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Preventive Medicine, Primary Care Advocacy and Educating the next generation of Family Physicians.

University of Washington School of Medicine

Family Medicine Residency of Idaho

American Board of Family Medicine